We were at a gas station today and went in to get snacks while my dad filled up the car. I noticed the gas station attendant was reading a newspaper filled with squiggles and dots instead of letters.
"Excuse me, is that Arabic? My wife is learning Arabic, and i would love to hear her talk to you."
My wife popped up and spoke some Arabic, and the man opened right up. He is a Christian "Copt" from Egypt, and his mother and sister still live there. We immediately asked if they were okay after the recent protests, and he said they were fine. Then he started talking about how people of his religion are treated.
"Copts are not treated well, and are discriminated against by the Muslims. They used to take our wives and daughters. Now Muslims think they are superior to all other religions, and if you belong to another religion, they look down on you as inferior. I am so thankful to live in this country where I am free to be whatever religion I want without being treated as a second class citizen."
I paid for the water and M&M's and said the only phrase I know in Arabic, "Itsharuffna! (Nice to meet you)"
His face beamed.
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